The BJP government in Gujarat on Tuesday announced a 27% reservation for OBCs in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities, and civic corporations. However, in areas notified under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act—most of them with substantial tribal populations—the reservation for OBCs in local bodies will continue to be 10%.

Earlier, OBC reservation in local bodies was 10% in the state.

“On the basis of the Jhaveri Commission report, a cabinet sub-committee recommended 27% reservations for OBC in local bodies, and the recommendation was accepted by the state cabinet on Tuesday,” Gujarat minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel said.

“Earlier, OBC reservation in local bodies was 10% in Gujarat. On the direction of the Supreme Court, a commission was appointed to redefine seat reservations for OBCs in local bodies. We received the report of the Jhaveri Commission in April. After that, deliberations were carried out by a subcommittee of the cabinet,” he continued.

“However, in the PESA-notified areas, the reservation will continue to be 10% for OBCs,” the minister further said, adding that this has been done to protect the interests of tribals. The PESA-notified areas include 50 predominantly tribal talukas in eight districts of the state.

“There is a 50% cap on reservations. So, we cannot make it beyond 27% reservation for OBCs,” he added.

The existing quota for Scheduled Castes (14%) and Scheduled Tribes (7%) remains unchanged.